Apparatus for harvesting fruit with an elliptically moving striker member

ABSTRACT

A harvesting machine for use in harvesting fruit, such as grapes which grow on a longitudinal row of vines, in which the vines are struck with striker members to dislodge the fruit therefrom. The striker members are each translated through a generally elliptical, horizontal path as the machine moves along the row so that the speed of the striker member, into an out of the vines, transverse to the row, is maximized, and at the same time the longitudinal movement of the striker members relative to the vines during engagement therewith is minimized to prevent vine or fruit damage.

United States Patent Claxton et al.

[451 June6, 9172 APPARATUS FOR HARVESTING FRUIT WITH AN ELLIPTICALLYMOVING STRIKER MEMBER Inventors: Gerald L. Claxton; Darrell C. Horn,

Lafayette, Calif.

Assignee: lip-Right, Inc., Berkeley, Calif.

Filed: Dec. 28, 1970 Appl. No.: 101,910

Related US. Application Data Continuation-impart of Ser. No. 73,450,Sept. 18, I970, abandoned, which is a continuation-impart of Ser. No.855,865, Sept. 8, 1969, abandoned.

[56] References Clted UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,344,591 10/1967 Christieet a] ..56/3 30 3,396.52l 8/1968 McKibben et al. 3,439,482 4/1969 Orton..56/330 3,478,501 ll/l969Patzlaff....................................56/330 PrimaryExaminerRussell R. Kinsey Attorney-Mellin, Moore & Weissenberger [57]ABSTRACT A harvesting machine for use in harvesting fruit, such asgrapes which grow on a longitudinal row of vines, in which the vines arestruck with striker members to dislodge the fruit therefrom. The strikermembers are each translated through a generally elliptical, horizontalpath as the machine moves along the row so that the speed of the strikermember, into an out of the vines, transverse to the row, is maximized,and at the same time the longitudinal movement of the striker membersrelative to the vines during engagement therewith is minimized toprevent vine or fruit damage.

22 Claims, 10 Drawing Figures PATENTFHJUH s .912

SHEET 1 BF 6 INVENTORS GERALD L. CLAXTON DARRELL C. HORN ATTORNEYSPATENTEDJUH 6 [912 SHEET 2 OF 6 PATENTEUJUH BIHTZ $667,201

SHEET 30F 6 GERALD L. CLAXTON DARRELL C. HORN 210M111, /M 'r- 2 2% ley uATTORNEYS PATENTEUJUH 51972 3.667.201

sum u or 6 9 IO 10 I INVENTORS GERALD L.CLAXTON DARRELL C. HORN fi e/4 M0(4441 Y M ATTORNEYS PATENTEDJUH SIBYE $667,201

sum 5 0r 6 FIG 9 GERALD fl fi r ow I25 DARRELL 'c. HORN A .05 4 P Mn/MATTORNEYS fl APPARATUS FOR HARVESTING FRUIT WITH AN ELLIPI'ICALLY MOVINGSTRIKER MEIVIBER CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION BACKGROUND OFTHE INVENTION The present invention relates to a method and apparatusfor imparting horizontal transverse blows to a row of vines or bushes,so that the transverse agitation produced in the vines or bushes by suchblows will cause the grapes, berries or other fruit to fall from thevines or bushes and be harvested.

Various types of harvesting means have been devised which agitate vinesor bushes to remove fruit therefrom. One of these is the harvester shownin the R. M. W eygandt U.S. Pat., Nos. 3,l26,692 and 3,203,l59. Theharvester shown in these patents operates to progressively compress thevines or bushes between vertically arranged shaker panels that slide inlongitudinal relationship with the foliage of said plants, whileoscillating these panels in a wig-wag phased reciprocation about axescoincident with the forward edges of these panels. In this device thevines or bushes are thus shaken back and forth to dislodge the fruittherefrom.

A serious disadvantage of the Weygandt shaking motion is that theshaking panels move in a simple, harmonic motion, wherein the fastestspeed is midway in the cycle and the slowest speed (into the vine orbush) is at the end of the stroke. A sharp impact on the plant, ascontrasted to a shake, is not attainable with the Weygandt simple crankmethod of oscillation.

Another disadvantage of the Weygandt machine is that in its operationthe shaker panels are in constant sliding contact with the plantcompressed thereby. This unavoidable but necessary sliding contactresults in a longitudinal abrasion of the plant which rubs, smashes andotherwise damages the fruit and vines or bushes to an undesirabledegree.

It is an object of the present invention to provide apparatus so thatthe disadvantages of the prior art devices can be overcome. Morespecifically, it is to provide striker members which have a maximizedspeed of movement when impacting a vine or bush to cause the fruit todrop therefrom. Also, it is an object of the invention to minimizelongitudinal sliding contact between the striker members and the vine orbush and thus prevent damage to the fruit or vines or bushes.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Broadly speaking, the results of the presentinvention are obtained by utilizing one or more striker members andtranslating them through a generally elliptical horizontal path, themajor axis of the path being normal to the row of vines or bushes.Because of the ellipticity of the path, the speed of movement of thestriker member into and out of contact with the plant is substantiallyincreased, as compared to simple harmonic motion, resulting in asubstantially more efficient harvesting of the fruit.

The striker members may either be vertical rods which strike against thevines, or they may be a plurality of vertically spaced, horizontalfingers which extend generally transversely of the row of vines andwhich penetrate into the vines when brought into contact therewith.

Longitudinal abrasion of the plant being impacted is minimized by movingthe machine along the row at a speed such that the striker memberremains in engagement with substantially the same point along the row asit is moving into and out of the plant. In normal operation the strikermember will be in engagement with the plant for approximately half ofthe stroke of the striker member. To prevent undue abrasion, the machineis moved along the row at a speed such that the machine moves through adistance of twice the minor diameter of the elliptical path during thetime that the striker member completes a complete orbit of its path. Asa result, even though the striker member moves through a curved path,relative to the machine, it moves in a substantially straight line,relative to the plant and normal to the rows, during the time that it isin engagement with the plant.

Other objects and advantages will become apparent in the course of thefollowing detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the drawings, forming a part ofthis application, and in which like parts are designated by likereference numerals throughout the same,

FIG. 1 is an end elevational view of a harvesting machine incorporatingthe invention;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of one of the impactor units of theinvention, detached from the machine;

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the impactor unit of FIG. 2;

FIGS. 4 and 5 are generally schematic views of the impactor units,showing the manner in which the striker rods are impacted on a row ofvines therebetween.

FIG. 6 is a plan view similar to FIG. 2, showing a modification of theimpactor unit.

FIG. 7 is an elevational detail of a striker member of the impactor unitof FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is an elevational view of the impactor unit of FIG. 6, showingthe manner in which the impactor unit is suspended from the frame of themachine.

FIG. 9 is a sectional detail, taken on line 9-9 of FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 is a sectional detail, taken on line 10-10 of FIG. 8.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring now to FIGS. 1-5, theharvesting machine 10 comprises a generally tunnel-shaped frame 11having open side portions 12 and 13 and which frame is open at both endsso that the machine can straddle and roll, on wheels 14, along a row ofbushes or vines, such as vines 15. These vines are typically trainedalong a wire 16 which is supported by wooden posts 17.

The machine 10 includes an engine 18 that supplies power to wheels 14and to a fluid pump 19 for the various hydraulic systems of the machine.Mounted on the frame at the sides thereof are the two impactor units 20and 20a which operate the striker rods 21, 21a, 22 and 22a and causethem to impact the vines 15. Due to the impact on these vines, thegrapes drop off onto the closure flaps 23 and slide down into theconveyors 240. These conveyors carry the grapes to the rear of themachine where they are dumped into conveyors 24b, then into conveyors24c to be carried upwardly to the cross-conveyor 24d, and then to bedumped into a truck (not shown).

The impactor units 20 and 20a are identical, and only unit 20 will bedescribed in detail, it being understood that corresponding elements ofunit 200 are identified by the same reference numerals as used withrespect to unit 20, with the letter a" appended.

impactor unit 20 comprises a frame 25 having frame extensions 25a and25b that extend transversely of the machine 10. The impactor unit frameis suspended from cross beams 26 of the main frame of the machine bymeans of rigid support straps 27 which are secured to the cross beamsand impactor frame by bolts 28 so as to allow the impactor frame 25 toswing in a transverse direction relative to the main machine frame. Aconnecting rod 29, secured at one end thereof to tie plate 30 on theimpactor frame, extends over to, and is secured to, the other impactorframe 25a so that both impactor units will swing in unison transverselyof the main machine.

The frame 25 of the impactor unit 20 has mounted thereon a hydraulicmotor 31 connected by suitable hydraulic lines, not shown, to pump 19.The hydraulic motor rotates the drive shaft 32, journaled in frame 25,to in turn, by means of chain 33, drive crankshaft 34. Right anglegearbox 35 transmits the rotation of drive shaft 32 to synchronizingshaft 36, which is similarly connected to the right angle gearbox 35aand the drive shaft of unit a so that the crankshafis 34 and 340 aredriven in synchronism with each other.

Crank 37, on crankshaft 34, has upper and lower crank arms 38 and 39that rotate in frame about the vertical axis of the crankshaft 34, andextend in opposite directions from such axis. An intermediate crankmember 40 is rigidly connected to crank arms 38 and 39 by pinned rods 41and 42 so that the entire crank operates as a unitary member.

Lever 43 extending towards the longitudinal center line of machine 10has one end pivotally connected at 41 to crank arm 39, and carries atits other, or free, end the striker rod 21 which extends generallyvertically downwardly therefrom.

Lever 44 is pivotally connected at one end thereof to frame extension25a by means of the vertical shaft 46, and is pivotally connected at itsother end by pin 47 to lever 43 at a point intermediate its ends.

in a similar manner, lever 48 is pivotally connected at 42 to crank arm39 and carries at its other end the striker rod 22. Lever 49 is pivotedto frame extension 25b by shaft 51 and to lever 48, intermediate itsends, by pin 52.

The movement of the striker rods 21 and 22 is illustrated in FIG. 3.Crank arms 38 and 39 rotate about a common vertical axis, carrying thepivot points 41 and 42 in a circular path, shown by the dotted circle55. For purposes of illustration, this circular path 55 is marked atintervals by reference letters A through 1... One end of lever 43 ispivotally connected to crank arm 38 and thus this end of lever 43travels in the circular path 55. The intermediate part of lever 43 ispivotally connected at 47 to lever 44, and thus this point on lever 43will travel back and forth along the curve 56 whose radius is equal tothe distance between pivot points 46 and 47. This compound pivotalmovement of lever 43, as crank arm 38 rotates, will cause the free endof lever 43 to travel in the generally elliptical horizontal pathindicated by the dotted line 57. The vertically depending striker rod 21which is carried by the free end of lever 43 will thus be translatedthrough the elliptical path 57.

The elliptical path 57 is shown with reference points A through Ltherealong to indicate the position of striker rod 21 when the crank arm38 is at a corresponding point in its path of circular movement.Typically, the striker rod 21 will first strike the leaves and tendrilsof the vine at point J and will strike the main vine shortly after itreaches point K. The striker rod will remain in contact with the leavesand tendrils until it reaches point D.

Since crank arm 38 rotates at a constant speed, the time intervalbetween any two consecutively lettered points on circular path 55 willbe constant. Correspondingly, the time interval between any twoconsecutively lettered points on elliptical path 57 will be constant.Thus, the greater the distance between the lettered points on path 57,the greater is the horizontal speed of the striker rod 21 between thosepoints. As may be seen from FIG. 3, the striker rod maintains a highrate of speed throughout most of its stroke into the vine, and thus itis impacted against the main vine with a high degree of force to rendera sharp blow against the vine and knock the grapes therefrom.

it is also to be noted from FIG. 3 that the striking and withdrawalspeed of the striker bar into and out of the vine is greater than at theother end of the path 57, when it is out of contact with the vine andreversing direction for another impact. Because of this the striker rodprovides an impacting, instead of shaking, and therefore a moreefficient agitation and fruit removal.

The length of the stroke, i.e., the major diameter of the ellipticalpath 57 which is essentially normal to the row of vines, can of coursevary, depending on the size machine and plant being harvested. Forsingle wire-supported grape vines, a 12- inch stroke has been found tobe desirable. The ellipticity of the striker rod path, while providingfor sharply delivered blows, in addition makes it possible to deliverthe proper rate of blows at proper intervals along the row withouttearing or abrading the vine.

The proper number of blows per minute will vary in accordance with thetype of plant being harvested. Typically, it will range from 250 to 500blows per minute.

As will be seen from FIG. 3, the striker rod will contact the vine fromapproximately point J through point D, and during that time it willtravel through a distance, parallel to the row, approximately equal tothe minor diameter of the elliptical path, i.e., the direct distancebetween points J and D. If, at the same time, the machine is moved alongthe row so that it moves twice the distance of the minor diameter duringone cycle of striker rod movement, then there will be a minimal amountof longitudinal movement of the striker rod relative to the vine when incontact therewith. Thus, to the vine, the striker rod will beapproaching it in a direction generally perpendicular to the row to hitthe vine at one point therealong and will then move away from that pointin a generally perpendicular direction therefrom.

Assuming that the major and minor diameters of the elliptical path 57are 12 and 3 inches respectively, and the striker rod is being operatedat 300 cycles per minute, then the machine should be moved along the rowat a ground speed of feet per minute (approximately 1.75 miles perhour). With this operation the striker rod 21 will impart consecutiveblows every six inches along the vine, which is a desirable spacing ofblows to ensure that all the grapes will be knocked from the vine.

The striker rod 22 will similarly be translated through a generallyelliptical horizontal path 58. Again, this path has reference points Athrough L indicated thereon to show the position of striker rod 22 whenthe crank arm 39 is at the corresponding points on the circular path 55.

In order to better provide a dynamic balance, and prevent undesirabletransverse vibration of the machine, the striker rods 21 and 22 arepreferably operated in a sufficiently out-ofphase relationship so thatthey do not both impact the main part of the vine at the same time.

FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrate the operation of the two impactor units 20 and20a. As will be seen, every time that the vine is impacted from oneside, it is simultaneously impacted from the other side at a pointspaced along the vine. Each impacting striker rod serves as a stop forthe other to prevent free horizontal movement of the vine under and awayfrom the impact of the other. For example, in FIG. 5, if striker member2! alone struck the vine, the entire vine could move to the right andpart of the impact would be lost. Such movement of the vine, however, isrestricted by the opposite engagement of striker rod 220 therewith, andthe impact of striker rod 2! is localized and intensified. The same, ofcourse, is true of the impact from striker rod 220.

As has been previously noted, the impactor units 20 and 20a are tiedtogether by the connecting rod 29 and synchronizing shaft 36 and mountedon the machine so that they can move together transversely of themachine. This free floating arrangement, together with the balancedimpact of the striker rods, will automatically center the impactor unitsrelative to the center line of the row of vines or bushes in spite ofminor errors in direction by the driver of the machine or tilting of themachine due to unevenness of the ground. As a consequence, the fruitwill be more efficiently harvested and the sidewise breakage of vines,bushes, stakes and posts will be avoided.

The striker rods 21, 21a, 22 and 22a are preferably formed of aresilient material, such as thin-wall steel or aluminum tubing, orfiberglass or nylon. The striker rods will hit the vine and/or the wiresupporting the vine, with a hard transverse blow suflicient to dislodgethe fruit, yet if the rods encounter a trunk, post, knob, stake or otherunyielding object, they will flex and yield, and minimal damage to themachinery, vine or bush will result. If desired, the striker rods can becovered with a softer material, such as rubber, to soften localizedimpact.

The narrowness of the striker rods also provides clearance for foliageon both sides of the bar, minimizes vine damage and permits maximumpenetration of the rods into the vine. Operation of the machine at theproper ground speed, and the smoothness of these rods, prevents stems,leaves, shoots or canes from getting wound up on the rods.

Although the striker rods are shown as vertical, it will be appreciatedthat they could be bent to a desired configuration for particular plantsso that such plants can be efficiently harvested.

The front and rear striker bars can be synchronized in their transverseoscillation to the forward speed of the harvesting machine so as topermit the sequential impacts on the side of the vine to be spaced inany desired pattern. For example, by synchronizing the oscillation ofthe front and rear striker rods with the speed of the machine so thatthe rear striker rod impacts at the same place on the vine as did thefront impactor, a minimum damage of vine foliage is assured, yet with noless agitation of the vine as a whole.

FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrate a modification of the invention, wherein thestriker members 121 and 122 each comprise a plurality of verticallyspaced horizontal fingers which extend generally transversely of theharvesting machine.

For purposes of illustration, only the main operating elements ofimpactor unit 120 are shown. In use, the crankshaft would be powered bya hydraulic motor, the unit 120 would be suspended from the harvestingmachine frame and the unit 120 would be tied and synchronized to a unit120 on the opposite side of the machine, all in the same manner aspreviously described in connection with impactor unit 20. Alternatively,the unit 120 may be suspended from the harvesting machine andsynchronized to an opposite unit 120 as described below in connectionwith FIGS. 8-10.

impactor unit 120 comprises a frame 125 having frame extensions 125a and125b that extend transversely of the machine 10. Crank 137, rotatingabout the vertical axis of crankshaft 134, has upper and lower crankarms 138 and 139. Lever 143, extending towards the longitudinal centerline of machine 10, has one end connected at 141 to crank arm 138, andcarries at its other end the striker member 121. Lever 144 is pivotallyconnected at 146 to frame extension 125b and at 147 to lever arm 143.

Similarly, lever 148 is connected at 142 to crank am 139 and carries atits other end striker member 122. Lever 149 is pivotally connected at151 to frame extension 125a and at 152 to lever 148.

As seen in FIGS. 6 and 7, lever 143 has a vertically disposed channelmember 161 fixed to its end and braced by strut 162. Striker member 121comprises a vertical tubular holder 163 designed to fit into the channelmember 161 and be held in place therein by U-bolts 164. Horizontalfinger members 165 are carried by holder 163, these fingers tapering attheir free ends to a point 166. Typically, these fingers are made ofpolyurethane and are about twelve inches in length, 1 inch in diameterand located above each other on about 4-inch centers. Strike member 122is the same as 121, and each is located above the ground at about thesame height.

As before, FIG. 6 illustrates the circular path 155 of crank 137, withreference points AA through LL spaced therealong. As crank arm 138rotates, the fingers of striker member 121 will be moved, and the points166 thereof will move through the elliptical path 157 defined by thecorresponding reference points A through L. Similarly, when the crankarm 139 is at the various reference points AA through LL of circularpath 155, the points of the fingers of striker member 121 will be at thecorresponding points along elliptical path 158. As shown, with acounterclockwise rotation of crank 137, the upper crank arm 138 andstriker member 121 are at position DD, and the striker member is movingaway from the center line of the machine. The lower crank arm 139 andstriker member 122 are at position .11, moving toward the center line ofthe machine. The reference lines shown in FIG. 6 extending from thereference points A through L of the elliptical paths indicate thedirection of the axis of the striker member fingers at each of thepoints.

In operation, impactor unis will be mounted, one on each side, of aharvester machine 10, with the striker members at the height of thevines to be harvested. As before, the ground speed of the harvester iscorrelated to the speed of rotation of the cranks 137 so that themachine will travel about twice the minor diameter of the ellipticalpaths during one cycle of striker member movement.

Also as before, the speed of entry of the fingers into the vines ismaximized so that the striking force on the vines and grape bunches,transverse to the vines, is maximized. In addition, the fingers whileinserted into the vines will also impart agitation to the vines andgrape bunches in a direction along the row. For example, during the timefrom A to B on elliptical path 157, the finger points 166 will havelittle relative movement with respect to the vines, since the machine ismoving along the vines. However, during this time interval thehorizontal directions of the axis of the fingers changes quiteconsiderably and abruptly, causing the bodies of the fingers to impartimpacting energy to the vines and bunches to aid in dislodging thebunches. Since the points of the fingers are relatively motionless withrespect to the vines, the agitation of the vines is accomplished with aminimum of damage to the vines and tendrils thereof.

Withdrawal of the fingers from the vines also takes place at high speed,so that vine damage is minimized.

FIGS. 8-10 illustrate a modification of the apparatus showing impactorunits 120 mounted to frame 11 of the machine for movement transverselyof the machine independently of each other.

Frame of the impactor unit 120 is provided with upward extensions 125cand 125d which have mounting brackets 171 and 172 bolted thereto. Eachmounting bracket is provided with a plurality of vertically spaced holes173. A support bar 174 is pivotally mounted at its lower end to bolt 175on bracket 171 and at its upper end to bolt 176 carried by lower clampmember 177. The lower clamp member 177 and upper clamp member 178 areclamped, by bolts 179, onto main frame member 180 which extendstransversely of the machine from side to side thereof. Similarly,support bar 181 supports the impactor unit 120 from the transverse framemember 182. The bolts 175 and 176 being parallel to the centerline ofthe machine thus allow the suspended impactor unit to swing transverselyof the machine.

A thrust link 183, pivotally connected at one end 184 to the impactorunit 120 and at its other end 185 to the main frame of the machine,allows transverse movement of the impactor unit relative to the mainframe while preventing longitudinal relative movement therebetween.

The operation of the impactor units is maintained in synchronism asfollows. The hydraulic motor 131 rotates drive shaft 132 and by chain133 drives the crankshaft 134 of the impactor unit.

A right angle gearbox 135 is mounted on main frame bracket 187. Atelescopable slip coupling 188 is connected by universal joints 189 and190 to the drive shaft 132 and the input shaft 191 of the right anglegearbox 135, and the output shaft of the gearbox is coupled to thesynchronizing shaft. This shaft extends across the machine and issimilarly connected to the drive shaft 132 of the opposite impactorunit.

By the above-described arrangement each impactor unit 120 hangs freelyfrom the main frame of the machine and on each side thereof. Theposition of the impactor units and striking members thereof may beeasily adjusted. By loosening bolts 179, the clamping members may beslid along the transverse frame members 180 and 182 to adjust thetransverse spacing of the impactor units to suit the vines therebetween.The spaced vertical holes 173 in the support brackets 17] and 172 allowthe impactor units to be hung at different elevations so that thestriking members will be positioned at the height of the fruit zone ofthe vines.

It has been found that a rigid tying together of the impactor units, asby the connecting rod 29 of FIG. 3, results in an undesirable amount ofvibration as the machine operates in the harvesting of grapes. Theelimination of the connecting rod, by the suspension means of FlGS.8-10, has substantially reduced this vibration. At the same time, thesuspension of FIGS. 8-10 maintains the desired spacing between theimpactor units during normal harvesting operations. Each impactor unit(typically about 600 pounds in weight) hangs, as a pendulum, so that itis vertical. If the machine should tilt to the side, if the ground isuneven on each side of the row, the two impactor units will both swingtransversely of the machine so that they will remain vertical and at thesame distance from each other.

The inertia of the impactor units will cause them to maintain theirvertical position during normal harvesting. However, if a post or largetrunk is encountered by one of the impactor units, such unit can swingout, independently of the other, to allow the machine to pass theobstruction.

Having thus described our invention, we claim:

1. A machine for harvesting fruit from a row of fruited plants,comprising:

a. a wheeled frame having upstanding side portions adapted to straddleand move longitudinally along said row,

b. a vertically disposed striker member between said side portions ofsaid frame,

c. operating means carried by said frame for translating said strikermember through a generally elliptical, horizontal path, the major axisof which is transverse to said frame.

2. A machine as set forth in claim 1 wherein said striker memberconsists of a slender rod.

3. A machine as set forth in claim I wherein said striker membercomprises a plurality of vertically spaced, horizontal fingers whichextend generally transversely of said frame.

4. A machine as set forth in claim 1, and further including:

d. a second vertically disposed striker member between said sideportions of said frame,

e. second operating means carried by said frame for translating saidsecond striker member through a second generally elliptical, horizontalpath, the major axis of which is transverse to said frame.

. A machine as set forth in claim 4, and further including:

means for moving said first and second striker members in unison intheir respective elliptical paths towards and away from the longitudinalcenterline of said frame from opposite sides thereof,

g. means enabling said elliptical paths as a whole to move in unisontransversely of said frame.

6. A machine as set forth in claim 5, wherein said striker members eachconsist of a slender rod.

7. A machine as set forth in claim 5, wherein said striker members eachcomprise a plurality of vertically spaced, horizontal fingers whichextend generally transversely of said frame.

8. A machine as set forth in claim 4, wherein the first and secondoperating means are on opposite sides of the longitudinal centerline ofsaid frame, and further including:

f. means suspending the upper end of each operating means from saidframe for independent swinging movement of said operating meanstransversely of said frame.

9. A machine as set forth in claim 8 and further including:

g. means for synchronizing the movement of said first and second strikermembers in their respective elliptical aths.

FA machine as set forth in claim 4, and further including:

f. third and fourth vertically disposed striker members between saidside portions of said frame, third and fourth operating means carried bysaid frame for translating said third and fourth striker members throughthird and fourth generally elliptical, horizontal paths, the major axesof which are transverse to said frame,

h. two of said elliptical paths each being substantially on one side ofthe longitudinal centerline of said frame and the other two ellipticalpaths being on the other side of said centerline.

11. A machine as set forth in claim 10 wherein two of said operatingmeans are mounted on a first subframe on one side of the longitudinalcenterline of said wheeled frame and the other two of said operatingmeans are mounted on a second subfrarne on the opposite side of saidcenterline, and further including:

i. means suspending the upper ends of said subframes from said wheeledframe for independent swinging movement of said subframes transverselyof said wheeled frame.

12. A machine as set forth in claim 10, and further including means formoving two of said striker members in unison towards and away from saidcenterline from opposite sides thereof, and for moving the other twostriker members in unison towards and away from said centerline fromopposite sides thereof but in out-of-phase relation to said first twostriker members.

13. A machine as set forth in claim 12 wherein each of said strikermembers consists of a slender rod.

14. A machine as set forth in claim 12 wherein each of said strikermembers comprises a plurality of vertically spaced, horizontal fingerswhich extend generally transversely of said frame.

15. In a harvesting machine having a wheeled frame with sides arrangedto straddle and move longitudinally along a row of fruited plants, theimprovement comprising:

a. a crank arm carried by said frame, said crank arm being journaled atone end for rotation about a first vertical axis,

b. a first lever pivotally connected at one end thereof to the other endof said crank arm,

c. a vertically disposed striker member carried by the other end of saidfirst lever,

d. a second lever carried by said frame, said second lever beingpivotally mounted at one end thereof for pivotal movement about a secondvertical axis, said second lever being pivotally connected at the otherend thereof to an intermediate point on said first lever.

16. In a machine as set forth in claim 15 and in which the horizontaldistance between said first and second vertical axes is fixed.

17. In a machine as set forth in claim 15 and further include. a secondcrank arm carried by said frame, said second crank arm being joumaled atone end thereof for rotation about a third vertical axis,

f. a third lever pivotally connected at one end thereof to the other endof said second crank arm,

g. a second vertically disposed striker member carried by the other endof said third lever,

h. a fourth lever carried by said frame, said fourth lever beingpivotally mounted at one end thereof about a fourth vertical axis, saidfourth lever being pivotally connected at its other end to anintermediate point on said third lever.

18. In a machine as set forth in claim 17 wherein said first and thirdvertical axes of rotation of said first and second crank anns are onopposite sides of the longitudinal centerline of said frame.

19. In a machine as set forth in claim 18 wherein said first and secondcrank arms are mounted on first and second subframes respectively, andfurther including:

i. means suspending the upper ends of said subframes from said wheeledframe for independent swinging movement of said subframes transverselyof said wheeled frame.

20. In a machine as set forth in claim 17, wherein said first and thirdvertical axes are coaxial and said first and second crank arms extend inopposite directions therefrom.

21. A machine for harvesting fruit from a row of fruited plants,comprising:

a. a wheeled frame having upstanding side portions adapted to straddleand move longitudinally along said row,

b. first and second subframes disposed one on each side of thelongitudinal centerline of said wheeled frame,

c. a striker member associated with each of said subframes,

22. A machine as set forth in claim 2], and further including:

f. means for synchronizing the operation of said operating means wherebysaid striker members move in unison.

I I I UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 3,667 ,201 Dated June 6 1972 lnventofls) Gerald L. Claxton and Darrell CHorn It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patentand that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

The top of the first page is corrected so that the date of issue reads:

June 6, 1972 Signed and sealed this 20th day of February 1973.

(SEAL) Attest'.

ROBERT GOTTSCHALK EDWARD M. FLETCHER,JR.

Commissioner of Patents Attesting Officer FOFM pomso USCOMM-DC wan-pew aU 5 GDVERNMNY PFIN'HNG OFFICE 19, 0-366-33l

1. A machine for harvesting fruit from a row of fruited plants,comprising: a. a wheeled frame having upstanding side portions adaptedto straddle and move longitudinally along said row, b. a verticallydisposed striker member between said side portions of said frame, c.operating means carried by said frame for translating said strikermember through a generally elliptical, horizontal path, the major axisof which is transverse to said frame.
 2. A machine as set forth in claim1 wherein said striker member consists of a slender rod.
 3. A machine asset forth in claim 1 wherein said striker member comprises a pluralityof vertically spaced, horizontal fingers which extend generallytransversely of said frame.
 4. A machine as sEt forth in claim 1, andfurther including: d. a second vertically disposed striker memberbetween said side portions of said frame, e. second operating meanscarried by said frame for translating said second striker member througha second generally elliptical, horizontal path, the major axis of whichis transverse to said frame.
 5. A machine as set forth in claim 4, andfurther including: f. means for moving said first and second strikermembers in unison in their respective elliptical paths towards and awayfrom the longitudinal centerline of said frame from opposite sidesthereof, g. means enabling said elliptical paths as a whole to move inunison transversely of said frame.
 6. A machine as set forth in claim 5,wherein said striker members each consist of a slender rod.
 7. A machineas set forth in claim 5, wherein said striker members each comprise aplurality of vertically spaced, horizontal fingers which extendgenerally transversely of said frame.
 8. A machine as set forth in claim4, wherein the first and second operating means are on opposite sides ofthe longitudinal centerline of said frame, and further including: f.means suspending the upper end of each operating means from said framefor independent swinging movement of said operating means transverselyof said frame.
 9. A machine as set forth in claim 8 and furtherincluding: g. means for synchronizing the movement of said first andsecond striker members in their respective elliptical paths.
 10. Amachine as set forth in claim 4, and further including: f. third andfourth vertically disposed striker members between said side portions ofsaid frame, g. third and fourth operating means carried by said framefor translating said third and fourth striker members through third andfourth generally elliptical, horizontal paths, the major axes of whichare transverse to said frame, h. two of said elliptical paths each beingsubstantially on one side of the longitudinal centerline of said frameand the other two elliptical paths being on the other side of saidcenterline.
 11. A machine as set forth in claim 10 wherein two of saidoperating means are mounted on a first subframe on one side of thelongitudinal centerline of said wheeled frame and the other two of saidoperating means are mounted on a second subframe on the opposite side ofsaid centerline, and further including: i. means suspending the upperends of said subframes from said wheeled frame for independent swingingmovement of said subframes transversely of said wheeled frame.
 12. Amachine as set forth in claim 10, and further including means for movingtwo of said striker members in unison towards and away from saidcenterline from opposite sides thereof, and for moving the other twostriker members in unison towards and away from said centerline fromopposite sides thereof but in out-of-phase relation to said first twostriker members.
 13. A machine as set forth in claim 12 wherein each ofsaid striker members consists of a slender rod.
 14. A machine as setforth in claim 12 wherein each of said striker members comprises aplurality of vertically spaced, horizontal fingers which extendgenerally transversely of said frame.
 15. In a harvesting machine havinga wheeled frame with sides arranged to straddle and move longitudinallyalong a row of fruited plants, the improvement comprising: a. a crankarm carried by said frame, said crank arm being journaled at one end forrotation about a first vertical axis, b. a first lever pivotallyconnected at one end thereof to the other end of said crank arm, c. avertically disposed striker member carried by the other end of saidfirst lever, d. a second lever carried by said frame, said second leverbeing pivotally mounted at one end thereof for pivotal movement about asecond vertical axis, said second lever being pivotally connected at theother end thereof to an intermediate point on said first lever.
 16. In amachine as set forth in claim 15 and in which the horizontal distancebetween said first and second vertical axes is fixed.
 17. In a machineas set forth in claim 15 and further including: e. a second crank armcarried by said frame, said second crank arm being journaled at one endthereof for rotation about a third vertical axis, f. a third leverpivotally connected at one end thereof to the other end of said secondcrank arm, g. a second vertically disposed striker member carried by theother end of said third lever, h. a fourth lever carried by said frame,said fourth lever being pivotally mounted at one end thereof about afourth vertical axis, said fourth lever being pivotally connected at itsother end to an intermediate point on said third lever.
 18. In a machineas set forth in claim 17 wherein said first and third vertical axes ofrotation of said first and second crank arms are on opposite sides ofthe longitudinal centerline of said frame.
 19. In a machine as set forthin claim 18 wherein said first and second crank arms are mounted onfirst and second subframes respectively, and further including: i. meanssuspending the upper ends of said subframes from said wheeled frame forindependent swinging movement of said subframes transversely of saidwheeled frame.
 20. In a machine as set forth in claim 17, wherein saidfirst and third vertical axes are coaxial and said first and secondcrank arms extend in opposite directions therefrom.
 21. A machine forharvesting fruit from a row of fruited plants, comprising: a. a wheeledframe having upstanding side portions adapted to straddle and movelongitudinally along said row, b. first and second subframes disposedone on each side of the longitudinal centerline of said wheeled frame,c. a striker member associated with each of said subframes, d. operatingmeans carried by each subframe for moving the striker member associatedtherewith towards and away from said centerline, e. means suspending theupper ends of said subframes from said wheeled frame for independentswinging movement of said subframes transversely of said wheeled frame.22. A machine as set forth in claim 21, and further including: f. meansfor synchronizing the operation of said operating means whereby saidstriker members move in unison.